John Stossel on Government and Marriage

Republicans in Oklahoma were angry after a judge ruled their state must recognize gay marriages—so they proposed that the state stop recognizing any marriages. They may have been throwing a tantrum, but getting government out of the mix would put an end to many stupid fights, John Stossel writes.

If private individuals are free to make whatever marriage contracts and observe whatever marriage customs they like, that leaves everyone else free to ignore those couples if they don't approve. Arrangements that work best will tend to endure, Stossel argues. Let people love, in ways old and new, even if we make mistakes along the way.

Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time. Report abuses.